08 Jun 2016

African Film and Drama Academy (AFDA) recently screened some films at Capitol Cinema. This gave hope to industry players that the film and television sector would never lack in material as the students have shown unmatched zeal and enthusiasm in making world-class films. 

AFDA Botswana stagged the star gazing at its premier graduation festival for its honours students on the red-carpet-black- tie event.The AFDA head of live performance, Tefo Paya said the filming process was a final examination for the AFDA postgraduate honours degree programme students.

“The purpose of the festival is for the films is that they are to be marked by an ‘Audience Response’ panel, in which members of the audience are randomly selected to mark. The marking is based on the target audience of the film and is not supposed to be done  by lecturers who have taught them within the course,” he said. He said the films will also be judged and rated by Industry-based Panel for quality assurance to  ensure that the audience response was not bias.

AFDA Botswana, has branded itself to be the number one film, TV and performance school on the continent, and a leading outcome-based films in the world. The graduates are taught to conceptualize, create and develop indigenous products and commodities for the local and international market.

The event also provided a platform that brings together global independent filmmakers, producers, promoters and other stakeholders in a common space to explore talent stories and market the films to a global audience.

Within the four screened movies, which were Raskanta, Sebonta, Gatwe e rile, and Zola my Beginnings, the movie ‘Sebonta’, won the hearts of the audience as it was termed to be a titillating, well directed, acted and excellently produced piece. 

The piece was about a teenage boy who transformed from a homophobic bully into openly exploring homosexual attraction when he unexpectedly falls in love with Karabo, who is expressive and openly gay. Sebonta is caught in a dilemma between losing control of his gang who were all homophobic and losing Karabo. 

He ultimately decides to make his feelings for Karabo known by introducing him to the gang . things fall apart when the gang shuns Karabo and turns their back on Sebonta leaving him humiliated. 

Tragically, Sebonta believes the only way out to escape from the repressive forces of the conservative society was suicide.

The film  was produced by Difemelo Monkutlwatsi, Catherine Gabu and Kabelo Maruma, Directed by Thabiso Ranthoyakgale and Ellen Phooko, Edited by Keabetswe Moitisi, Production Design by Banyana Ramontsho, costumes, make up and styling by Karabo Letlole, and finally Sound and Design by Phephelani Ndlovu and Wedu Sende.

 The Member of Parliament for Gaborone Central, Phenyo Butale who was part of the audiance  congratulated the teams on their pieces. He said it was evident that there was a future in the film industry.

“I like the fact that there is creativity, storytelling and depiction of the live realities of our young people as opposed to the lives lived by our parents and the stories. I think we need to go all out and be creative,” he said. ENDS